Darlene Soares

Dear Representatives, I am writing as a small business owner who operates short-term vacation rentals in New Hampshire, and I respectfully oppose the proposed property tax surcharge targeting second homes and short-term rentals. My family and I have worked extremely hard to earn, maintain, and responsibly operate our vacation rental properties. These homes are not corporate investments, they are small, locally run businesses that support our family and employ local cleaners, tradespeople, and service providers. We pay full residential property taxes, collect and remit Meals and Rooms tax, and reinvest heavily in our properties and communities. This proposal is not fair or equitable to small operators like us. It disproportionately penalizes family-owned vacation rentals while leaving large hotel corporations, which operate at scale and benefit from commercial structures, largely unaffected. Treating locally owned STRs as a revenue source, while corporate hospitality businesses are not similarly burdened, creates an uneven playing field. Additionally, this proposal amounts to double taxation based solely on how a lawful property is used, not on services consumed or impacts created. Broad tax surcharges will not address noise, parking, or housing concerns. Those issues are better handled through targeted enforcement against bad actors, not blanket penalties on responsible owners. Many short-term rentals are located in vacation or seasonal areas and are not realistic solutions for long-term workforce housing. Increasing taxes on these properties will not automatically convert them into affordable housing, but it will raise costs for visitors, reduce tourism spending, and negatively impact local businesses that rely on a healthy visitor economy. I respectfully ask that you reconsider this proposal and work with local STR owners to pursue solutions that are fair, effective, and supportive of New Hampshire’s tourism-based economy. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Darlene Soares Small Business Owner & Short-Term Rental Operator